Frances Duncan Briggs, 94, passed away on April 10, 2018. Born on June 9, 1923 in Elizabethtown, KY, Frances came to know the Lord when she was 9 years old. She grew up in the Highland Heights Baptist Church where she was active in the GA's and at an early age became the church pianist. She had a love of music and used her gifts to serve the Lord. Frances became a member of Fisherville Baptist Church where she was the pianist and later organist for more than forty years. While at Fisherville, she met the love of her life, Merle Briggs, Jr. when she was fifteen years old. Seven years later, they were married after his return from World War II, and they remained devoted to one another for forty-seven years, until his death in 1993. Frances graduated from Collierville High School and attended Memphis State College. She retired from the VA Hospital after twenty years of service. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Briggs joined Trinity Baptist Church. She is survived by three sons, Charles Briggs (Linda), Robert Briggs (Bonnie), William Briggs (Diane); six grandchildren, Amy Mitchell (Creighton), Holly Briggs (David Weller), Rachel Briggs, Caroline McDaniel (Jeffrey), Michael Briggs (Marianne Kirk Briggs), and William Briggs, Jr.; four great grandchildren, Jack and Ella McDaniel, Wyatt and Asa Mitchell; and two beloved nieces, Gayle Lee and Jackie Williams. Frances was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Jean Lowrance. The family will gather to receive friends on Thursday, April 12, between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Avenue Chapel. She will lie in state on Friday, April 13 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 8899 Trinity Road in Cordova, and funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Fisherville Baptist Church Cemetery. Lasting memorials may be directed to Trinity Baptist Church.
Memphis Funeral Home
(901)725-0100
